tbh locally [ I work in employment support so not hearsay] the only workers who benefit from highly flexible working arangements are immigrant workers who can cope with erratic payments/hours/conditions.
Locally many of the warehousing/distribution firms [ multinationals mainly]now use agency and zero hour contracts [ which are illegal] so you turn up for work and they decide if they want you that day. that is less than ideal if you have a mortgage to pay. It has made workers less likely to take employment not more likely as the propsed employment is so insecure.
A flexible and adaptable workforce is one thing and easily shaftable one is another and not helpful.

there was talk to extend the 1 year service clause to 24 months so your employer could get rid of you for no reason what so ever within that period and you can't claim unfair dismissal unless you can prove it was for harrasment or discrimination!